Does anyone outside the media think Cantor’s Judaism cost him the election?

posted at 6:51 pm on June 11, 2014 by Noah Rothman

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), who has been elected to Congress from Virginia’s 7th congressional district six times and who served as the Republican Majority Leader since 2011, is Jewish. This, some in the vaunted political class have convinced themselves, was recently discovered by a host of rabid tea partiers who descended like locusts on the polls on Tuesday where they vented their chauvinism. Even if Cantor’s Judaism was not the key reason for his downfall, those predisposed to lend this theory credence suggest it remains the “elephant in the room.”

It is easy to simply dismiss this silly catchall theory for why Cantor lost his seventh Republican congressional primary race to economics professor Dave Brat on Tuesday. That was my plan before the theory that Cantor’s Judaism contributed to his loss began surfacing in a number of respectable journalistic outlets.

“Mr. Cantor, who dreamed of becoming the first Jewish speaker of the House, was culturally out of step with a redrawn district that was more rural, more gun-oriented and more conservative,” read a report in The New York Times summarizing the analysis of Cook Political Report analyst David Wasserman.

“Part of this plays into his religion,” Wasserman told The Times. “You can’t ignore the elephant in the room.”

Why? Apparently, those rural bumpkins reapportioned into Cantor’s district did.

“Cantor actually won the less populous parts of Virginia’s Seventh,” observed The New Republic’s Jason Zengerle. “It was in the Richmond suburbs, which had always been Cantor’s base, where he got trounced by Brat.”

Moreover, as Zengerle observes, Brat did not make an issue of Cantor’s religious background in teh campaign. “[N]ot even in subtle ways by, say, attacking his support of Israel,” he wrote.

“David Brat, the Virginia Republican who shocked House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R., Va.) Tuesday, wrote in 2011 that Hitler’s rise ‘could all happen again, quite easily,’” Epstein wrote. “Mr. Brat’s remarks, in a 2011 issue of Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology, came three years before he defeated the only Jewish Republican in Congress.”

But it is the reference to Hitler’s Germany that is likely to turn heads during Mr. Brat’s first full day as a tea party star.

The full context of his second Holocaust prognostication comes in a section about how if Christian people “had the guts to spread the word,” government would not need to “backstop every action we take.”

“They’re suggesting Brat is pro-Hitler?” an incredulous Ace at Ace of Spades remarked. “How else can one read their noting that Brat said that Hitler could rise again, and then mention that in reference to the defeat of the GOP’s only Jewish Congressmen as if they’re linked?”

While the logic behind the effort by some in the press to suggest that Republican voters in Virginia’s 7th were openly hostile to a Jewish congressman is… unsatisfying, the political motives behind that insinuation are clear as day.

“As Democrats seek to cement a public perception of the GOP as an intolerant and homogenous party, the defeat of the nation’s leading Jewish Republican over his support for more relaxed immigration laws can only help,” wrote Politico’s Alexander Burns.

For all the think pieces diving into Cantor’s loss, each purporting to advance a slightly more clever rationalization for the majority leader’s downfall, the simpler explanations are often more compelling. The Washington Examiner’s David Drucker offered the most persuasive before noon:

Brat only spent $40,000 on the campaign, which would have barely drawn notice had it not been for the million dollars Cantor spent in raising Brat’s profile. Another axiom might have helped Cantor in this regard — never punch down. Had Cantor spent that money on positive retail politicking in his district rather than on an air war against an unknown, the end result may well have looked like McLaughlin’s polling.

These practical details are more likely to explain Cantor’s loss. The impact his religion had on his defeat is probably trivial and should be discounted by all serious political analysts. All serious political analysts, that is, who are not invested in advancing the impression that the GOP is “intolerant and homogenous.”

Blowback

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If I were in a group of observant Jews, I would expect them to pray in their habitual manner. If I were with devout Catholics, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear a Rosary recited. Russian Orthodox, evangelical Baptists, Taoists; why would I expect anyone to alter their prayer because my tender widdle feelings might be “alienated”?

Dolce Far Niente on June 11, 2014 at 7:53 PM

If I were in a prayer group or other gathering of like-minded co-religionists, of course I would expect sectarian prayer. The point is when you are in a diverse group or when you aspire to attract a diverse group, a non-sectarian prayer can get the job done without alienating non-Christians.

If what we’re reading is true, and Cantor’s constituent outreach was really poor, you need go no further. Now Democrats see prejudice and bigotry in everything because that’s all they have. The truth be known, Cantor did a poor job in his district since he got into leadership and he paid the price. He should have added to his team, when he became Majority Leader so he could keep constituent services at the same level. Apparently, he had his staff doing the leadership chores which forced a sacrifice of the constituent services.

Cantor forgot that he is supposed to represent his constituents, not the power structure.

O/T This tidbit was passed along to me about how a leader handles Muslim insistence on imposing sharia.

Vladimir Putin on Muslims

No wonder he was selected by Forbes as the most powerful person in the world!! This is one time our elected leaders should pay attention to the advice of Vladimir Putin. I would suggest that not only our leaders but every citizen of USA should pay attention to this advice. How scary is that? It is a sad day when a Communist makes more sense than our LEADERS but here it is!!!!

Vladimir Putin’s speech – HIS SHORTEST SPEECH EVER.

On August 04, 2013, Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, addressed the Duma, (Russian Parliament), and gave a speech about the tensions with minorities in Russia:

“In Russia, live like Russians. Any minority, from anywhere, if it wants to live in Russia, to work and eat in Russia, it should speak Russian, and should respect the Russian laws. If they prefer Sharia Law, and live the life of Muslim’s then we advise them to go to those places where that’s the state law.

Russia does not need Muslim minorities. Minorities need Russia, and we will not grant them special privileges, or try to change our laws to fit their desires, no matter how loud they yell ‘discrimination’. We will not tolerate disrespect of our Russian culture. We better learn from the suicides of America, England, Holland and France, if we are to survive as a nation. The Muslims are taking over those countries and they will not take over Russia. The Russian customs and traditions are not compatible with the lack of culture or the primitive ways of Sharia Law and Muslims.

When this honorable legislative body thinks of creating new laws, it should have in mind the Russian national interest first, observing that the Muslims Minorities Are Not Russians.”

The politicians in the Duma gave Putin a five minute standing ovation.

I knew Cantor was a Jew. See my last comment. And every King I’ve known was a Jew. So you can see that I’m surprised that King is Irish.

Judge_Dredd on June 11, 2014 at 8:19 PM

“Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends. And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, to which I say, ‘Oy vey!’, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.”

I didn’t even know he was Jewish. Who cares about that stuff? Oh, that’s right…progressives do. Divide and conquer progressives.

I don’t care what you look like, how you dress, how you walk, talk, what you eat, where you live…none of it. What matters to me in a politician is their track record of conservatism (if they have a track record) and their positions on the issues. That’s how the vast majority of conservatives vote, unlike the unified 95+% of blacks, etc.. Real racism is a unified racial approach to voting.

If they are going to tell you that you are anti-Jewish if you vote out your Jewish rep in a Republican primary, then it’s a mistake to ever vote in a Jewish Republican in the first place. They are telling you that you are going to be stuck with the guy forever or else be accused of hate if he doesn’t work out and you feel the need to replace him. Obviously, you’d want to vote someone into that position that you can painlessly vote out of that position if he doesn’t work out.

This is similar to how the left hurts minorities in the workplace. I can hire white male Christians under 60 with no disabilities all day long knowing full well that I can fire them at will without ever having to worry about repercussions from lawsuits or the government interference. The only reason I wouldn’t want to hire a white Christian male under 60 with no disabilities over someone else is if one wasn’t available.

I knew Cantor was a Jew. See my last comment. And every King I’ve known was a Jew. So you can see that I’m surprised that King is Irish.

Judge_Dredd on June 11, 2014 at 8:19 PM

Years ago I was at a writers conference and scheduled to meet a literary agent for drinks. All our previous interactions had been electronic, so you can probably imagine my surprise when Rob Cohen turned out to be a black woman.

Like so many of us, I really did not know anything about Dave Brat before his brilliant victory last night. I was so excited about his defeat of Cantor, I stayed up late to listen to the commentary and find out as much as I could about him. Along with Hannity’s interviews, the video that taught me the most about Dave Brat was his eleven minute victory speech. I’ve included it below for those who may have missed it.

In that brief speech, he revealed himself to be the perfect conservative Republican. A bold unashamed Christian, in the beginning of the speech he held up the scripture from Luke 18:27 that he read every day during his campaign, “Jesus said, The things which are impossible with men, are possible with God.” After thanking his family and the many foot soldiers who helped him win, he then called out the media for shoddily reporting on what his six Republican principles are which he made clear all along:

1. Free Markets

2. Equal Treatment Under the Law (Without mentioning illegal aliens, it is clear that he considers amnesty favoritism under the law…which, IMO, is the core problem with all notions of amnesty.)

3. Fiscal Responsibility

4. Adherence to Constitutional Principles (Here he referenced the Tenth Amendment and the enumerated powers…Yes!)

5. Strong National Defense (Made reference to Reagan here.)

6. The Faith of the Founders (He is a God-fearing man and understands that without morality, our Republic cannot stand.)

Left is just grabbing at straws about Cantor to avoid acknowledging this very big elephant in the nation’s room (it’s the objection about amnesty for illegal aliens, it’s about the govt. not enforcing our immigration laws and objection about those in govt. claiming we need “reform” instead of enforcement).

If Cantor had been a female, it’d be, from the Left, “she lost because she’s a woman and you people hate women.”

If Cantor had been a Hispanic, it’d be, from the Left, “he/she lost because she’s Latino/Latina and you people are racist.”

If Cantor had been Black, it’d be, from the Left, “he/she lost because she’s Black and you people are all racists.”

Cantor, in reality, lost because he’s pro-amnesty for illegals, he’s pro-big-govt., he’s pro-big-spending to advance big-govt ideas and goals.

And, Cantor’s pro-amnesty for illegal aliens positions RELY ON, are contingent upon, expanding govt ever bigger and expanding the cost of doing that more and more (“big govt., big spending, big taxes, more restrictions, more regulations, more unions/spending/costs…etc.”).

Amnesty and “immigration reform” GUARANTEE govt expansion, reduction of liberties and not expansion of them or expansion of respect for liberties…means reduced job opportunities for all, reduced conditions, reduced take-home pay to support all those amnestied dependents…

That’s what’s behind the decision to oust Cantor and it does boil down to the shorthand summation of: “he lost because of his stand on amnesty for illegal aliens,” and/or, “it’s about immigration.”

Bids to replace Rep. Eric Cantor in House leadership
1m
Report: Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is telling House members on floor he has half the GOP conference locked up for majority leader position, @jonward11 says

I live in Cantor’s district, and I can’t recall ever hearing anyone comment on his religion. It was his hubris and lack of true conservatism that cost him the election. Cantor didn’t even begin to advertise until Brat raised a credible political profile because he obviously took the seat for granted; he barely had to break a sweat to defeat the guy who ran against him two years ago. He forgot what the voters put him there to do.

…Cantor did a poor job in his district since he got into leadership and he paid the price. He should have added to his team, when he became Majority Leader so he could keep constituent services at the same level. Apparently, he had his staff doing the leadership chores which forced a sacrifice of the constituent services.

Anyone who wants to look beyond that, is a moron.

bflat879 on June 11, 2014 at 8:13 PM

Yes and I read another VA voter write elsewhere, about that “disconnect from the voters” aspect to Cantor (as to why he didn’t win the primary):

‘that Cantor took to representing the power structure in DC and not the people who voted for him.’

That applies to most all the objectionables in govt today. When they’re elected to federal offices and they soon avoid loyalties or answering to the actual individual voters who put them there, then there’s real possibility that they’ll lose their future election. Or, if they are elected in the future, they’re doing the opposition’s work and not that of the constituents.

…Cantor didn’t even begin to advertise until Brat raised a credible political profile because he obviously took the seat for granted; he barely had to break a sweat to defeat the guy who ran against him two years ago. He forgot what the voters put him there to do.

College Prof on June 11, 2014 at 9:31 PM

Exactly what I read elsewhere from other VA voters and what I’d assume was Cantor’s problem — it’s usually the case, that, when people of Cantor’s length in office lose their seats. It’s because: what you wrote there.

Bids to replace Rep. Eric Cantor in House leadership
1m
Report: Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is telling House members on floor he has half the GOP conference locked up for majority leader position, @jonward11 says

canopfor on June 11, 2014 at 9:18 PM

BIG, BIG mistake if McCarthy gets it. Yesterday, when the VA election results were reliably projected for Brat to win, Cantor to lose, McCarthy was quoted as saying he “was heartbroken” and something like ‘close to tears’.

Cantor also named McCarthy as his replacement of choice. Which should tell voters McCarthy is the wrong guy to replace Cantor’s position as House Majority Whip.

Conservatives often ask, “Why do so many Jews continue to vote Dem?” I often reply, based on years of experience with libbie family and friends, that many Jews cling to old beliefs that Repubs are either bigoted hillbillies who never met a Jewish person, or they are rich blue-bloods who restrict them from their country clubs. Dems know this. So when an opportunity like this presents itself, you better believe they will play it to the max, to confirm those worst fears, and keep their flock in line. See how that works?

My ex-wife’s maiden name was Cantor. Should’ve been Canter, as she was more horse than anything else. ;) I don’t think she has any Jewish blood in her. I didn’t know this soon to be former Representative is Jewish.

The .5%
It would not surprise me if uber-liberal Jews in an open primary came out and voted for Brat to eliminate any Cantor appeal as a Jewish moderate alternative to the Jewish democratic bandwagon. For 70% US Jews liberalism is a golden calf.

It would not surprise me if uber-liberal Jews in an open primary came out and voted for Brat to eliminate any Cantor appeal as a Jewish moderate alternative to the Jewish democratic bandwagon. For 70% US Jews liberalism is a golden calf.

Rea1ityCheck on June 11, 2014 at 10:56 PM

You attribute way too much intelligence to liberal Jews to think that they voted for Brat to eliminate Cantor. I say this as someone who goes to a Reform Jewish synagogue. (They call it a temple, but I never will.)

Did any of these people who claim to be oh-so-concerned about the Jews say anything when Obama attended a dinner honoring Al Sharpton who is not only a fanatic anti-Semitic demagogue but has incited more murders than Charles Manson?

“How else can one read their noting that Brat said that Hitler could rise again, and then mention that in reference to the defeat of the GOP’s only Jewish Congressmen as if they’re linked?”

Libs are 1) that stupid or 2) that brazen.

If you read the Brat piece where he says that a more resolute Christianity could have resisted Hitler better, and that he was prescribing a more resolute Christianity–as opposed to a mere moralistic, finger-wagging Christianity–you could only get the idea that it is somehow pro-Hitler if you’re 1) stupid, or 2) believe you can sell it to your stupid comrades.

A load of bunkum. I am a Jew and I wanted him out because he is for amnesty in any way, shape or form he and his ilk could get it done. Race, faith belief, whatever is not the cause. Just the push for amnesty to bring this country further down to a third world and ripe then for takeover. The GOP just doesn’t want to admit we are tired of their old arguments and accept the fact that they creating their own demise!